Parents Handbook and Policy - Childcare

HAPPY VALLEY MONTESSORI CHILDREN CENTRE
Referance Guide

Revised: Nov 2018

Table of Contents

1.

Philosophy

13.

Field Trips & Outings

2.

Staff  Members

14.

Emergency Preparedness

3.

Hours and Holidays

15.

Nap / Rest Time

4.

Fees

16.

Nutrition & Food Service

5.

Registration

17.

Active Play Policy

6.

Drop Off & Pick Up   

18.

Screen Use Policy

7.

Release of Children

19.

No Nuts Policy

8.

Gradual Entry

20.

Clothing and Daily Necessities

9.

When the Child is too Ill to Attend Childcare

21.

Daily Schedule

10.

Administration of Medication

22.

Permission to Administer Form

11.

Guiding Children’s Behavior

23.

Parent Handbook Verification Form

12.

Parties

1

Philosophy

• Happy Valley Montessori Children Centre provides a safe, clean, well-ordered, and hazard-free environment that protects children and supports their development.
  

• We understand all children come from different families with different cultures and backgrounds. We believe children should be treated equally for their unique qualities.
  

• We believe all children deserve a safe, caring environment to grow up and express their own thoughts, feelings and needs.
  

• As adults, we are the role models of children. We believe parents and caregivers should teach and encourage children to respect themselves, others, our countries and the environment.
  

• We believe playing (indoor and outdoor) is very important to children. By playing, children can learn lots and develop themselves physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially.
  

• We believe open communication between families and caregivers can bring better understanding for each other and for the best of the children.
  

• We believe the desire to learn is inborn and that learning is a natural process. Our goal is to allow that process to unfold and that learning be enhanced. The most important thing we can teach children is that they are lovable, capable, and irreplaceable.

2

Staff  Members

All regular staff members at Happy Valley Montessori Children Centre are college graduates, they meet current licensing standards, they are trained in early childhood education and hold a valid First Aid certificate. All staff has a clear criminial record check and a clean doctors note.  

.

3.

Hours and Holidays

Happy Valley Montessori Children Centre opens Monday through Friday, 8:30am – 5:30pm; our center is closed for all statutory holidays, Easter Monday, Christmas Eve to New Year Day; and the last two weeks of August

The ten statutory holidays in British Columbia are:

• New Year Day
  

• BC Family Day
  

• Good Friday
  

• Victoria Day
  

• Canada Day

• B.C. Day
  

• Labor Day
  

• Thanksgiving Day
  

• Remembrance Day
  

• Christmas Day

4.

Fees

• Current monthly fee  is : $1250 ($900 after funding deduction) for a full time spot for each month except August and December, monthly fee is $625 ($450) for August and $938 ($675) for December.                                      

• Post-dated cheques are collected during registration:

         - from the first month that the child attend our program to next August;
         - cheques are dated for the first of each month;
         - cheques are payable to Happy Valley Montessori Children Centre.

• A forty days notice in writing or one month fee in lieu is required when withdrawing from our program.
  

• Deposit of $500 is required to secure a spot and is refundable when you give a written notice to our centre of withdrawal for your child at least forty days ahead.
  

• To maintain your child’s spot, the full monthly fee is required when your child is away, e.g. Vacation (one to two weeks) or sick.
  

• A $50 non-refundable registration fee is required upon registration.
  

• Failure to pay the childcare fee can result in termination of your child’s spot in our program.
  

• NSF cheque fee is $50.

5.

Registration

The following information on registration form must be received from the child’s family before the child starts attending:
1.  Name, sex, date of birth, MSP number and Immunization records
2.  Date of registration
3. Name and telephone number of a parent, medical practitioner and emergency contact
4. Illness, allergy or medical disability
5. A photograph or digital image of child
6. Authorized pick up list
7. A record of any person who can/cannot access to the child              (Online Forms Provided)

6.

Drop Off and Pick Up

• Parents are required to adhere to the assigned hours of service.
  

• No child will be admitted before the scheduled class time.
  

• Please call if your child will be absent or arrive late.
  

• Upon arrival, please sign your child(ren) in and relay any information that is important regarding your child’s health or somebody else will pick up your child(ren).
  

• Parents must pick up their child(ren) on or before the assigned time. Young children get anxious when parents are late.
  

• Please check your child’s cubby for art works and/or soiled clothes that need to be taken home. Soiled clothing should be replaced with clean clothes the next day.
  

• A late pick up fee will be charged as follows:
  

         - $5 for the first five minutes
         - After 5 minutes, $1 per minute
         - Money collected will be spent on special events for children

7.

Release of Children

• In order to ensure the safety of the children, their parents, and the staff of this centre, as well as the families who live in this area, this childcare centre will implement the following policy related to releasing children to their parents or other authorized adults. The parents must sign and date this form indicating that they agree to cooperate with this policy.
  

• Each parent will list all adults authorized to pick up their child on the registration form. Parents may also list those who may not legally pick up their child, if proper legal documentation is provided.
  

• If the child’s legal guardian or parent wants to change the people authorized to pick up the child, a new written authorization must be submitted to our centre with the person’s full name, gender, birth date, relationship to the child.
  

• If the child needs to be picked up by a person who is not on the authorized pick-up list, a writing authorization notice with the child’s legal guardian or parent’s signature need to be received by our centre with the person’s full name, gender, birth date, relationship with the child, time and date she/he will pick up the child. When the person comes in, a photo ID will be requested and copied by our staff; and the copy will be kept with the authorization notice in the child’s file. The child will not be seen by and/ or released to anyone that is not authorized to see and/or pick-up the child.
  

• Staff members who have questions will immediately call the parent(s) before releasing the child.
  

• If the parents/guardians do not show up 5 minutes after the scheduled dismissal time, a staff member will call parent’s cell phone, at work or at home.
  

• If the parents cannot be reached 15 minutes after the scheduled dismissal time, staff member will call the emergency contact person.
  

• If the staff member still unable to contact either parents or the designated emergency contact person, the centre will call the MSS-Emergency Service who will come and take the child into care until the parents can be located.
  

• Staff members will not release children into the care of a parent or other authorized adult who shows clear signs of being seriously impaired by the use of alcohol or other drugs.
  

Staff will protect the child by:
         - Staff member will call the authorized alternate person to pick up the child.
         - Keeping the child safe until authorized alternate person come to pick up the child.
         - If an alternate cannot be reached within a reasonable length of time, and the parent insists on
           taking the child, staff will release the child to the parent and call the RCMP.            

• The Center reserves the rights to refuse future care for children whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have attempted to pick them up in an impaired condition. In such cases, parents will receive written notice and will be required to meet with the manager prior to continuation or termination of care.

8.

Gradual Entry

The 1st and 2nd day of school – The child can stay for about an hour, a parent can stay with the child for 15 to 20 minutes .
The 3rd and 4th day of school – The Child can stay for 2 to 3 hours; a parent can stay with the child for 5 to 10 minutes.
The 5th day of school – follow the normal schedule and try to let the child to stay at the centre as long as he/she feels comfortable.

If the child cannot adapt to our program after two weeks, teachers may need meet the parents for special arrangement.

9.

When the Child is too Sick to Attend Childcare

• To ensure the safety of children and staff, children and adults who have the following conditions will be excluded from the classroom until either the condition subsides, or documentation from that individual’s medical provider stating that he/she is no longer contagious is shown.
  

• A child with the following symptoms should be kept at home:
  

      - behavior that is unusual for the individual child, such as a child who is normally active  suddenly becomes lethargic or drowsy;
      - high temperature or fever >100 Degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 Degees Celcius;
      - gray, pale or blood-stained face
      - vomiting;
      - skin that displays rashes, blisters, spots, crusty or weeping sores;
      - difficulty in swallowing or complaining of a sore throat;
      - persistent, prolonged or severe coughing; or
      - difficulty in breathing.
      - nausea
      - diarrhea
      - eye rash
      - any known or suspected communicable disease

• Children are not permitted to attend our centre within 24 hours of commencing antibiotics.
  

• Children are not permitted to attend our centre until 36 hours after the last episode of vomiting or the last episode of diarrhea. If three or more children are affected by vomiting or by diarrhea in the same day then the exclusion period automatically increases to 48 hours for all of the children who vomited or had diarrhea.

10.

Administration of Medication

Happy Valley Montessori staffs only administer medication as recommended by a doctor, we do not administer non-prescription medicines to children in our centre.

• The following procedures are to be followed by staff when administering medication to children:
  

         - The Medication Form must be fully completed by the parent / guardian.
         - The medication must have a chemist’s label attached, stating:
              a. The child’s name (it cannot have another name printed on the label)
              b. The dosage to be administered
              c. The time between dosages
              d. The date of purchase

11.

Guiding Children’s Behavior

• General Rules and Guidelines
  

• In our centre, the following basic rules must be applied anytime:
  

     - Behaviour must be stopped if it presents a clear risk of harm to oneself or others.
     - Behaviour must be stopped if it infringes on the rights of others.
     - Behaviour must be stopped if it will unnecessarily damage the environment or animals, objects,
       and materials in the environment.

• The teacher may contact the parents/guardians to share a concern and to work together to develop a strategy to deal with the child’s difficult behaviour.
  

• The professional may be contacted under the agreement of childcare provider and the parents/ guardians. If necessary, a child’s care plan will be created. The following information will be included in the care plan: child’s name, gender, age, his/her typical behaviours and the best way to handle it.
  

• If all the possible strategies are used to handle unacceptable behaviour, but to no avail, the parents/guardians may be asked to remove their child from our program.

12.

Parties

On festive days and holidays, we may have a party. We will post a notice or letter in
your child’s cubby of an upcoming class party.
Birthdays are exciting and we love to celebrate with you. Please notify the teacher 2 weeks before your child’s birthday. “Goodie bags” must include age-appropriate items and are given to all children in your child’s class as they leave the center at the end of the day. Birthday celebrations are scheduled before lunch time.

13.

Field Trips & Outings

• A permission slip specific to the trip should be distributed to families ahead of time, to be completed by the parents or guardians. The permission slip should include details about the trip, the date on which it will occur, the destination and its address, the mode(s) of transportation to be used, and the estimated times of the group’s departure and return.
  

• Only children whose parents have signed and returned a permission slip should participate.
  

• Parents may receive an additional copy of the field trip slip at anytime upon request.
  

• The field trip can be canceled at the last minute due to extreme weather, lack of adult helpers, or a child who suddenly becomes ill.
  

• Parents and staff will receive written notification of any updates.

14.

Emergency Preparedness

• For each child, parents need to provide a comfort kit with seal-able plastic bag with a list of items to provide, such as:
  

         - Emergency Contact Form
         - A photo of family members
         - A small toy or book
          - Non-perishable food (cheerios, fish crackers or granola bars)
         - A bottle of water
         - Flashlight & batteries
          - Solar Blanket

• The supplies will be checked twice a year, and replaced if necessary.
  

• Our emergency meeting places (muster locations) are
  

         1. The front yard of our daycare (In case of fire )
         2. The Richmond Public Library Brighouse Branch (in Case of Eaerhquake).

15.

Nap / Rest Time

• In Happy Valley Montessori Children Centre, we will have our nap/rest time between 1:30pm to 3:30pm. Naptime can be a warm and relaxing time of the day for children and caregivers. Since children have different needs for rest, some may not sleep. No child will be forced to sleep but every child needs a quiet rest time. It may take several weeks to establish a routine but it is worth the effort since both staff and children enjoy the benefits.
  

• Children will not be allowed to sleep with bottles. This will prevent baby bottle tooth decay and reduce the risk of ear infections.
  

• No schedule pick-ups or visits during this time to disturb the resting children. If it is necessary to pick up a child at the nap/rest time, the parent needs to inform the centre ahead so the staff can make arrangements.

16.

Nutrition & food Service

17.

ACTIVE PLAY

18.

Screen Use Policy

19.

No Nuts Policy

• Happy Valley Montessori Children Centre building and grounds have been designated as no nut zones due to children and staff having life threatening allergies to nuts. This means that no nuts and food containing nuts are allowed on the premises at any time. We cannot serve foods that are labeled as “may contain traces of nuts” either, so please check labels carefully before bringing food to the program.

20.

Clothing and Daily Necessities

• Play clothing which is warm, comfortable and easy for children to handle, are necessary. They should be washable and free of any complicated fasteners, braces, buckles…etc.
  

• Please keep a change of clothing in your child’s cubby at all times.
  

• Please keep a pair of indoor shoes in your child’s cubby at all times.
  

• In summer time, please provide your child with sunscreen and a sun hat.
  

• During winter time, your child may need mittens, scarf, warm hat, and an extra pair of shoes/boots for rainy days.
  

• Please label all clothing and belongings with your child’s name.
  

• No jewelry or objects that may cause injury to children.
  

• Please bring one box of regular sized Kleenex for your child’s own use.
  

• Please provide your child with one sleeping sheet(sleeping mat cover with rubber band on the corners), a blanket and a pillow in one big plastic bag and labeled with your child’s name. Individual children’s sleeping sheets and blankets will be kept separated and sent home for washing once a week.

21.

Daily Schedules

22.

Permission to Administer

Name of Child:

                                                                                                   .

As the parent or guardian of the child, I hereby give my permission for personnel at Happy Valley Montessori Children Centre to administer the following non-prescription items:

Yes

No

Product

Brand Name

Instructions

Dipering Products

                                                               .

Follow the lable on container

Sunscreen

                                                               .

Follow the lable on container

Insect Repellant

                                                              .

Follow the lable on container

Body Lotion

                                                               .

Follow the lable on container

Parent/Guardian full name (print):                                                                                                     .  

Parent/Guardian signature:                                                                  Date:                                    .

23.

Happy Valley Montessori Children Centre   (Please print and Sign)
Parent Handbook Verification Form

By signing this form, as parent of ______________, I certify that I have read the Happy Valley Montessori Children Center Parent Handbook, understand the Center’s policies, and consent to abide by all of the terms stated herein. I also give permission to Happy Valley Montessori Children Center to photograph my child for purpose of childcare record keeping.


___________________               ____________________________      _______________
Father/Guardian Name                Father/Guardian Signature            Date（mm/dd/YYYY）


___________________               ____________________________      _______________
Mother/Guardian Name              Mother/Guardian Signature            Date（mm/dd/YYYY）


**  Both parents must sign unless child’s guardian initials here to indicate sole custody and responsibility of child.                               .

**  Custody documentation must be provided to the Happy Valley Montessori Children Centre office upon registration and/or enrollment. upon registration and/or enrollment.